The Five Boroughs

New York City is made up of five boroughs: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. Each one has enough attractions—and enough personality—to be a city all its own. Learn more about them with this guide.

McSorley's. Photo: Malcolm Brown

McSorley's Old Ale House15 E. 7th St., 212-474-9148Burp Castle41 E. 7th St., 212-982-4576
Since 1854, McSorley's Old Ale House has presented patrons with a simple choice: its very own light or dark ale. Claiming to be New York City's oldest continually operating saloon, the paraphernalia-filled bar anchors the west end of East 7th Street. It's like an ode to an earlier time: sawdust covers the floors, and the walls are adorned with black-and-white photos, a wanted poster for John Wilkes Booth, newspaper clippings (including a 1970 piece from the Daily News about a City law forcing McSorley's to admit women), flags, signs, firefighters' helmets and wishbones left by soldiers departing for World War I. The taps and icebox, bearing the motto "Be good or be gone," are original. For more beverage variety, walk east to Burp Castle. This self-proclaimed "Temple of Beer Worship" sells many types of draft beer and features murals of monks and nude wenches. However, unlike McSorley's, which has been known to encourage bar-wide sing-alongs, Burp Castle enforces quiet. Boisterous talkers will be shushed by the bartender.